So my wife and I are taking a belated honeymoon to Paris in May. Last week we just found an apartment to rent and got our airfare. Today, the owners of the apartment emailed my wife some history of the apartment we'll be staying in. Apparently both Balzac and Voltaire lived in the unit we will be staying in!
I know it's not the Balzac that's usually associated with these boards, but thought I'd post it here anyway. We're pretty excited about the trip - and having that bit of history is really fun!

Sounds great and renting an apartment is the best way to go. My wife and I did the same thing a number of years ago. We rented an apartment in Montmartre and it was awesome.

Hardly a week goes by that we don't somehow reflect on the that holiday. Paris is pure magic. Have a great time.

wow that's really exciting!

i'll be interested to hear stories when you get back..we're heading there in October!

Yeah, I'll try to remember to take pictures! We're hoping to go on a tour of the catacombs. If we run into anything super spectacular that you wouldn't normally find when researching "what to do in Paris" we'll let you know, atease. Plover - you have any suggestions?
I already know that the week is going to be far too short...

Not sure what you're interests are but I would suggest the following:

1) Day trip to Versaille
2) Louvre
3) Pompideau
4) Walk everywhere! It's a super compact city so it's easy to get around and this way you see way more
5) Check out the Marias district - awesome stores
6) Shopping = Gallery Lafayette - high end department store where you can take a break and drink champagne should the need arise!
7) If you're into classical music, or even if you're not, check out a concert at St.Eglise. You can buy tickets at the Virgin store in the Louvre. We went and it was mind blowing. It's a 500+ year old church and the accoustics are like nothing you'll experience anywhere else.
Drink tons of wine and always, always buy fresh croissants in the morning!

Fuck this is killing me! I (we) need to get back there!

That is seriously cool! Light candles for them ... they were wonderful writers/thinkers. Congrats on the belated honeymoon. So cool to celebrate in one of the most romantic cities.



I'd assumed that the band is named for the writer (?)

I'll be in Paris for the first time for a few weeks around Labor Day. Some friends have a place next to Saint Sulpice. So exciting. I've only spent significant time in Italy in Europe ... can't wait for France!

Have a wonderful time. The extra historical bit is really great.

Plover - thanks for 5-7, will have to mark those down on the "to do" list! 1-4 are already on there! And of course the wine, bread and cheese! Really looking forward to the cheese.

If anyone else has suggestions post them up!


I would assume so too. But I think when you see the name on these boards you think of the band (or toys!) before you think of the person the named is named after.

GO TO THE CATACOMBS!!!!!! bring a little pen light if possible,,,,you really need to see the depth of the bone piles....

one time that i went,,,the man who works down there was bored and followed us around with a strong flashlight,,,got to see some killer shit that you would not otherwise see....

as for museums,,forget the louvre,,,,musea d'orsey is much better.....

contrary to what others say,,,paris is NOT compact.....the northern neighbourhoods are more interesting if you only have a little bit of time...
montmarte etc etc.....

of course wine,,cheese and croissant are on the agenda....

ironically,,,my favourite patissierre in paris is run by a russian couple who make the best croissants EVER!!!!

also,,,if you have time,,,go to any Carrefour supermarket on the outskirts,,,the staff cruise the store on rollerskates...and there are two cheese aisles and one aisle devoted to yoghurt!!!! yummm..dairy heaven...

have fun!!!!

thank god for the chunnel...paris is only a two and half hour train ride from central london to central paris....

You gotta see the Luxembourg Gardens. Bring a picnic lunch. When I was there, I would stay for hours.

thanks for the information guys...we're definitely going to check out a lot of that stuff, and being disney geeks we're doing that as well, but the concert idea sounds fantastic!

also glad to hear marais is good for shopping...that's where we're staying!

AWESOME! I can't wait for this!




I'm not so much into impressionism - and from what I remember that's pretty much what musee d'orsay is all about. I'd rather see some modern and some renaissance. But good recommendation, as it's a bit more off the beaten path than the louvre!

And wow - I didn't know you could get from Paris to London in 2.5 hours! Too bad we don't have a bit more time...

musee d'orsey does have lots of impressionism,,,but i find the statues there mind-blowing,,,there is this one statue/sculpture room that i hate to leave when i visit...i have also seen a couple photo exhibitions there too...the building itself is amazing as well (an old rail terminal i believe)....worth the visit i reckon

don't get me wrong about the louvre,,,it is great,,,but very touristy,,,crowded,,,hectic,,,etc etc etc..........

yes,,,the eurostar train rocks!!!! maybe about £15-£20 more expensive than you would pay for a cheap flight,,,but you are from city centre to city centre very quick...

if only england's rail system was not such crap,,,the journey would be even quicker...it is a bullet type train in france but has to crawl along once it hits the UK....

side note for atease...the marais area is very central (very open to all persuasions) & probably the most happening area of town at nighttime...there are some very nice cafes on the rue de archives.....

all this talk makes me want to book a ticket....they had an offer in the paper today for two round trip tickets for £90!!!! that is £45 each per person round trip....